Archive context

Reference code

MAR/3/4

Title

William Calder Marshall, Rome, to his father

Date

27 Oct 1836

Level

Item

Extent & medium

4 pieces

Content Description

He has befriended a young artist called Allan and they have taken lodgings at 8 Via di Porta Pincina. He has also found a studio at 19 Via di Capuccine. Tonight he drinks with the Overends. He has visited Macdonald several times, who is working on a Eurydice. The letter from Gibbons to Wyatt brought him introductions to Gibson and Thorvaldsen. All the artists meet in the same place, Gibson, though celebrated, joins them for coffee. The Wilson family, ill with fever, have left for Florence for the winter, then Scotland. The clear Roman air robs the city of perspective. Description of St. Peters and Roman ruins, currently the Forum is being excavated, with thirty feet of soil being removed. Describes his daily routine, will begin work at the English Academy on Monday, the Pope only allows male models. "Priests spring up here like mushrooms".